Anywhere to see a horse auction?

[Anonymous]

My DD has been reading a bunch of books that all feature girls who go off to a horse auction and people in the crowd all chip in to help them buy their horses, or the girl has enough money for a top horse but saves the mistreated pony from the meat man. Anyway, this had sparked an interest in seeing a horse auction. Are there any? So far, Google has not been my friend on this. We would have a slight preference for one somewhere between the city and, say, Harrisonburg, VA rather than going to Chincoteague (do THEY even still have the pony penning day auction anymore?).

Yes, I know the risk of this, but I have already explained we will not be buying a horse!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD has been reading a bunch of books that all feature girls who go off to a horse auction and people in the crowd all chip in to help them buy their horses, or the girl has enough money for a top horse but saves the mistreated pony from the meat man. Anyway, this had sparked an interest in seeing a horse auction. Are there any? So far, Google has not been my friend on this. We would have a slight preference for one somewhere between the city and, say, Harrisonburg, VA rather than going to Chincoteague (do THEY even still have the pony penning day auction anymore?).

Yes, I know the risk of this, but I have already explained we will not be buying a horse!

I only know of the annual one at the Vermont/NY state border in mid-August. You might try Upperville or Purcellville more locally. Serious $$$$, though.

[Anonymous]

Are you nuts? Do not take your kid to a horse auction. IN this economy, many but the fanciest are full of underfed sad-luck stories and guys buying horses to put on a truck to Canada, where they become French horse steaks. It is NO place for a kid, I promise you. She will either be traumatized or you will be coming home with a critter, one which you don't know enough about, who once properly fed is not suitable for a young kid to handle, let alone ride.

Please oh please, I am not kidding.

[Anonymous]

OP - your idea is truly craptastic.

It's a book for goodness sakes! Real life auctions of animals are not going to remotely resemble a children's fiction book image of one.